Justice News

Jury Convicts Festus Man Of Assaulting Deputy Marshal

James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Wednesday afternoon, May 11, 2016, a federal jury in East St. Louis found William J. Mabie, 55, of Festus, Missouri, guilty of assault on a federal officer. Sentencing before the Honorable Richard H. Mills has been scheduled for June 9, 2016.

"There are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, the highest number ever recorded. Each year, nearly 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries are reported." noted Acting United States Attorney Porter. "My office will always take swift and decisive action to deter those who think they can prey on our men and women in law enforcement. This verdict was especially pleasing as it occurred during National Police Week, a time when all of us should take a moment to reflect and thank the men and women of law enforcement for the tremendous job they do of keeping us all safe."

Evidence at trial showed that on March 12, 2015, while a prisoner in the custody of the United States Marshal Service, Mabie assaulted a Deputy United States Marshal in the Federal Courthouse for the Southern District of Illinois. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Shane Kelbley.